Sweet Romantic (Loose Trilogy #2)

Epilogue

"I missed you, Josaiah."

Tatlong salita na naging sanhi upang magkandamayaw ang puso ko. It's been twelve years have passed, but her effect on me didn't change... instead it became insane.

But somehow hearing those three words, makes me wanna wish that she's not drunk while stating it. Wala siya sa wisyo, at walang kasigaraduhan kung maaalala niya ang sinambit ngayong gabi. Sana tunay siyang alerto na nandito ako. Pinatitigan ko ang itsura niyang tila payapa. Ang dami nang nagbago sa kaniya, lalo na sa kaniyang pisikal.

She became thinner than before, her hair became longer as well which she always put on a bun. Sunod dumapo ang paningin ko sa kaniyang labi. She has no make-up at all, it seemed like she wiped it off earlier. But nevertheless, she's always been pretty in my eyes.

It's been twelve years from now, and there are no changes instead it deepens. For all those years I stopped myself from chasing her, to allow her to achieve her dreams. Otherwise, I did the same. Hinayaan kong gumaling ang sarili mula sa sugat ng nakaraan.

And seeing her achieve those dreams, I may say that my wait is worth it.

Remembering how I bid goodbye to her, to stay away from her in danger because of me. Once Papa knew that I liked someone, he'd heartlessly ruin her life.

"Are you saying goodbye?" I stared at those eyes that were full of emotion. Knowing her, she's never been shown her emotion. Kaya mahirap siyang basahin, but this moment... she's showing her vulnerable side that I want to take care of.

I slowly formed a smile to assure her. "I won't, I'll stay, maybe not in your side. But I do celebrate your victories. I told you, I'll wait for you. Find your happiness, Amari." I smiled at her.

I don't wanna lose her, but I don't wanna be selfish either. All those years, I've been updated about her since my friends became her friends as well. Masaya ako kapag may nakakamit siya, nagluluksa ako sa tuwing malungkot siya. Until the news came to me that his father was on death bed.

Gusto ko siyang puntahan upang samahan. But there's something that stopping me from doing that.

"Focus on your studies, bro. You also had plates of problems," tinapik ni Cholo ang balikat ko. "Magiging ayos din siya." He assured me.

Suminghap ako ng hangin. He's right that I also have on my plate right now, but I can't just stop myself from worrying about her.

Ang eskuwelahan na pagmamay-ari namin ay unti-unting bumabagsak, students and their guardians would transfer their sons and daughters to other schools because of a lot of controversies; katulad na lang na diktador daw ang Tatay ko, at ang mga guro daw rito ay hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. Nakulong na si Papa, mula sa mga ginawa niya. Patong-patong na kaso ang pagkadawit niya mula rito.

"Sinabihan ko na siya about the consequences through his action, but he's really heartless and never thinks of those." Umiling si Tita Jhoran sa kawalan, I'm with her 'cause she wants to see my state here at Baguio.

Kapatid siya ni Papa, at tinuturing niya na akong anak. Sa lahat ng kamag-anak ni Papa, sa kaniya lang ako malapit at kumportable.

"Matalino naman siya, pero masyado siyang nabulag sa kapangyarihan." I noticed how her eyes became teary. "Sinabi ko naman na sa kaniya, na hindi matutuwa si Nairalla kapag nalaman niya ang mga ginagawa niya," she let out a soft chuckle, pero bumasag ang boses niya. "Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya, kung naging biktima ka ng Papa mo. After all, you don't deserve those treatments."

In spite of all of these, Tita Jhoran stayed to help me. Inako niya muna ang responsibilidad habang nag-aaral ako. That's one of the reasons why I decided to study here. Masyado na kasing magulo ang buhay ko sa Bulacan.